A POTENTIALLY deadly flu strain is heading for the UK from Down Under - leaving Brits to face the worst flu season in 50 years.
But what exactly is Aussie flu, and how is it different from the normal winter bug? Here's what we know...
Getty - Contributor Aussie flu is a potentially deadly strain of the winter bug
What is Aussie flu?
Around 170,000 cases of flu have been reported in Australia this season, which is two and a half times more than last year.
The strain of flu is called H3N2, and public health expert Professor Robert Dingwall, from Nottingham Trent University, warned it was "almost inevitable" the winter bug will hit Britain this winter.
He added: "The reports from Australia suggest the UK might be in for the worst winter flu season for many years."
The number of flu deaths in Australia over their winter has not yet been released, but it's thought to be the worst in years.
Now Aussie flu has claimed its first victims in Ireland - as the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) revealed a number of people have already died from the virus.
Dr Kevin Kelleher, from the Health Protection department, told Independent.ie: "There have been a few deaths already... under 10 people have died so far this year."
A surge in infections has seen cases of the new H3N2 strain skyrocket in recent days as the NHS faces a seriously challenging flu season.
Data from Public Health England reveals that at least 1,649 people have been struck down by the potentially deadly strain in England and Wales - in just one week over the Christmas period.
FluSurvey This map shows how most of the country has been affected by the 'Aussie flu', with red areas the most heavily hit
How many people have been affected by Aussie flu?
Public Health England revealed 1,649 people had been struck down with Aussie flu over the Christmas week, up almost half on the week before.
And at least 73 have already been admitted to hospital, causing doctors to urge people to get vaccinated - as the flue "actively circulates" in Ireland.
Professor Dingall previously told the Daily Express that this is the most serious flu epidemic since the 1968 pandemic that started in Hong Kong - and killed a million people worldwide.
H3N2 is a mutated strain of flu, meaning the vaccine in Australia has been less effective than hoped.
Mum-of-two Jennifer Thew, who's originally from Germany, was one of those to die from flu in Australia in September.
She died from acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by flu - even though she worked as a medical receptionist and had been vaccinated against it.
Dr Kevin Kelleher, from the Health Protection department, told Independent.ie: "There have been a few deaths already... under 10 people have died so far this year.
"I don't give specific numbers when it's less than 10 because people could be identified."
Getty - Contributor If you don't recover after a week, it could be a sign that you know a more serious strain of flu
What are the symptoms of Aussie flu?
Symptoms of Aussie flu are similar to those caused by normal flu, but they are more severe. Here are some signs to look out for:
Sore throat and cough
Headache
Fever
Muscle ache
Fatigue
Runny nose and sneezing
People should recover from normal flu within a week so, although the cough and fatigue may last longer.
So if you're still really ill after seven days, it's a good indication of something more serious.
Aussie flu can lead to pneumonia and other potentially fatal complications.
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Who is most at risk from Aussie flu?
Those most at risk are the over 65s, pregnant women, young kids and those with chronic conditions - like diabetes, lung and heart disease.
Back in September, NHS bosses urged all eligible Brits to get the free flu jab - but admitted it was too late to tweak the strains in their stockpile.
More than 21 million Brits can get a free vaccine. In 2016, it didn't match the dominant flu strain - causing the biggest spike in winter deaths since the 60s.
What areas in the UK are at most risk from Aussie flu?
Map shows the Aussie flu hot spots of the UK, according to FluSurvey data
Plymouth, Doncaster and Durham are revealed as Aussie flu hot spots while other parts of the country have no recorded outbreaks, according to a map compiled by the FluSurvey website.
It relies on patients self-reporting so the true figure in each region is likely to be far higher.
Public Health England revealed 1,649 people had been struck down with Aussie flu over the Christmas week, up almost half on the week before.
THE deadly Aussie flu virus has rapidly spread across the country, with dozens of new cases reported in just 24 hours.
A surge in infections has seen UK cases of the dangerous new H3N2 strain rocket as the NHS braces for one of the worst flu seasons in 50 years.
The 'Aussie' flu is spreading across the country
Plymouth, Doncaster and Belfast are Aussie flu hot spots, as the areas unaffected by the flu rapidly diminish.
Since yesterday, Perthsire, Inverness, Preston, Glasgow and Midlothian have all reported cases - having previously remained untouched.
The only places in Britain with no reported flu cases are Dorchester, the Brecon Beacons area, Telford, Dartford and the City of London, according to a map compiled by the FluSurvey website.
It relies on patients self-reporting so the true figure in each region is likely to be far higher.
FluSurvey This map shows how most of the country has been affected by the 'Aussie flu', with red areas the most heavily hit
BPM Media Hospitals have been under pressure this winter, with some forced to declare 'black alerts'
Getty - Contributor The H3N2 strain of influenza has come to Britain from Australia
Data from Public Health England reveals that at least 1,649 people have
been struck down by the potentially deadly strain in England and Wales - in just one week over the Christmas period.
A further 112 people were admitted to non-emergency hospital wards, up from just five the week before.
And the lethal virus has now claimed its first victims in Ireland, sparking fears of fatalities elsewhere.
In the past week 17 people in England and Wales were admitted to intensive care, a government report revealed.
What are the symptoms of 'Aussie flu'? Symptoms of Aussie flu are similar to those caused by normal flu, but they are more severe. Here are some signs to look out for: Here are some signs to look out for: Sore throat and cough
Headache
Fever
Muscle ache
Fatigue
Runny nose and sneezing People should recover from normal flu within a week so, although the cough and fatigue may last longer. So if you’re still really ill after seven days, it’s a good indication of something more serious. Aussie flu can lead to pneumonia and other potentially fatal complications. Those most at risk are the over 65s, pregnant women, young kids and those with chronic conditions – like diabetes, lung and heart disease.
Although an average of 8,000 people die every year because of flu in England and Wales, experts warned last autumn that this number could be a lot higher if the Aussie flu struck.
Now the NHS is bracing for one of its worst flu seasons in 50 years, with thousands of operations cancelled as hospitals struggle to cope with an increase in patients.
Mirrorpix Natalie Shand was left bed-bound for five weeks after getting the 'Aussie' flu
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A Brit mum spoke out yesterday about her horrific experience with the illness - which she originally thought was a prosecco induced hangover, until it left her bed-bound for five weeks.
Natalie Shand, 39, said she was left aching all over her body after being struck down by the strain of flu.
She told the Mirror: "I was bedbound for six days in total. Then I was OK for two weeks and then by December 23 it knocked me off my feet again for hours at a time.
“I had it for five weeks.”
And a mum of four suffering from Aussie flu said her symptoms were so bad she thought she had meningitis.
A strain of flu in Australia has killed more than 300 people in one of its worst flu seasons in recent memory
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A particularly horrid strain of flu is sweeping across the UK.
Known as ‘Aussie Flu’ because of the way it spread across Australia, where it has been attributed to the deaths of hundreds of people, it is being linked to a rise in flu cases across England.
The Liverpool Echo reports that health experts are warning of the possibility of the worst death tolls in winter for many years.
GPs and hospitals are reporting growing cases of flu, according to Public Health England’s latest report, which warns hospitals should prepare for a rise in fatal cases this winter.
Australia was hit by one of the largest outbreaks it had seen in years in the southern hemisphere’s winter.
It was blamed for hundreds of deaths and there are fears that the particularly prevalent strain of Aussie flu, H3N2, could be spreading to the UK.
The strain mainly affects older people, those with long-term health conditions, pregnant women and children.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of most flu, including H3N2, are similar, but different strains can be more severe or contagious than others.
Symptoms can include a sudden fever, aches, exhaustion, a dry chesty cough, headaches, sore throats, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and trouble sleeping.
Children can also get ear pain.
What is the difference between flu and a cold?
The symptoms may be similar to a common cold, but flu tends to be more severe.
Flu tends to come on in a few hours, makes you feel exhausted and affects more than the nose and throat alone.
It can also lead to much more serious complications like pneumonia.
What is Aussie flu and is it actually deadly?
It is coming to the UK with quite a reputation. There are many cynics that believe the word 'deadly' is an exaggeration but this strain of the flu has been blamed for more than 300 deaths in Australia, as well as a dozen or more in Ireland.
The bug is known as H3N2 and there were around 170,000 cases in total, which pushed Aussie A&E units to breaking point.
Aussie flu mainly affects the elderly and people who are vulnerable due to long-term health conditions. Children and pregnant women are also at risk.
Catching this strain of flu can lead to pneumonia and other potentially deadly health complications.
What to do if you think you have Aussie flu?
The first form of defence against Aussie flu is to have a flu jab that will protect against the H3N2 strain.
If you don't have the jab and then contract the flu, then a GP might be able to prescribe an anti-viral medication as treatment.
If you think that you have the symptoms, you can speak to a pharmacist about which over-the-counter medications are recommended to take.
The flu can be prevented from being spread by people washing their hands regularly, covering their mouth and nose with tissues or a sleeve when they cough or sneeze, and cleaning surfaces they suspect are infected.
How can you protect yourself?
Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
The flu vaccine is the best protection we have, though flu strains change so it needs to be done every year.
The flu jab is offered free to adults at risk, over-65s, pregnant women and children at risk aged six months to two years old, and a spray is offered to children up to four.
You can have the jab at your GP and some pharmacies.
Serious side effects of the vaccine are rare.
Anyone can help prevent the virus from spreading by washing their hands regularly, covering their mouth and nose with tissues or a sleeve when they cough or sneeze, and cleaning surfaces they suspect are infected.
How can you treat flu?
Flu usually clears up by itself after around a week, but there are ways you can recover more quickly.
Rest, sleep, keeping warm, taking paracetamol or ibuprofen and drinking lots of water are all recommended.
GPs do not prescribe antibiotics as they will not relieve symptoms or help recovery.
You can seek advice most easily from a pharmacist, and are encouraged not to call 999 or go to A&E unless you develop sudden chest pain, have trouble breathing or start coughing blood.
Patients are advised to only go to their GP if their symptoms fail to improve after seven days, they are a child, over-65, pregnant or have a long-term medical condition or weakened immune system.
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Think you’ve caught ‘Aussie Flu’? Then you probably shouldn’t see a doctor.
That’s the advice if a North-east GP, who has urged anyone with a cough or cold not to put more strain on the NHS.
With A&E and GP services facing increasing winter pressures, people with cold or flu symptoms are being told to try self-medicating.
“While colds and flu are more common over winter, they’re everyday illnesses that we see all year round,” said Dr Stewart Findlay, Chief Clinical Officer for NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group.
“Colds and flu share some of the same symptoms, but are caused by different viruses.
(Image: PA)
“Colds are much less serious and usually start gradually with a stuffy or runny nose and a sore throat. A bad bout of flu can be much worse than a heavy cold.
“If you’re generally fit and healthy you can usually manage the symptoms at home yourself without seeing a doctor.”
He said rest, keeping warm and plenty of fluids are the key to recovery - while paracetamol or ibuprofen could lower your temperature and treat any aches and pains.
The advice comes after local GP practices reported patients asked for appointments to get ‘checked out’, or requested antibiotics as symptoms hadn’t cleared within a fortnight.
However, antibiotics are not effective for viruses such as colds, and Dr Findlay added: “Many winter ailments can take up to two weeks or more to shake off.
“Cold and flu can be extremely unpleasant, but you should start to feel much better within a week or so, but you may feel tired for much longer.
“You shouldn’t need to see your GP unless they become particularly severe, last far longer than usual or if you have a long-term health condition.
“However, you could speak to a pharmacist about advice on treatments or if you’re unsure about any of the symptoms.”
Across the North East and North Cumbria, the number of confirmed cases of patients with flu at hospitals across the region has risen to over 200.
Flu and complications associated with it cause 8,000 deaths on average a year in England. Around 6,000 of these are people with heart and lung disease.
Earlier this week, the NHS urged people in the region not to visit hospitals if they are unwell, have been unwell in the last 48 hours, or have had contact with a person with flu-like symptoms in recent days.
